A WOMAN was subjected to a tirade of racist abuse by a man who brandished a knife, threatened to burn her house down and threw a concrete slab through her window.

Matthew Shaw, 28, directed a slew of racial insults toward his neighbour, Katrina Webb, before taking out a Stanley knife in an ordeal that lasted over an hour.

Shaw was staying at his girlfriend’s house in Moorfield Grove, Tonge Moor, when he marched to the neighbouring property on March 19, Bolton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Ms Webb was playing music at around 9.45am and Shaw came to her front door swearing and demanding it be turned down, prosecutor David Lees told the court.

Ninety minutes abuse began when Ms Webb said she would not turn down the music after being sworn at.

Shaw said: “I’ll burn your house down. You don’t belong in this country, you need to go back to your own country,” according to the prosecution.

Shaw also said “if you get the police there won’t be much point in decorating, your walls will be bubbling with flames”, according to the prosecution.

The tirade continued as Ms Webb fled to a neighbour’s in fear. Later, Shaw took out a Stanley knife, saying “I’ll stab you up”, according to Mr Lees.

He then picked up a concrete slab and threw it through Ms Webb’s window. According to Mr Lees, this was in full view of the police.

In a statement read by the prosecution, Ms Webb said: “I’ve lived in this area for three years, I’ve never had any issues with my neighbours.

“I was born and bred in Bolton.

“I shouldn’t be made to feel like have to leave. He has no right.

“I don’t feel safe in my own home any more, especially with him living next door.”

Shaw now lives in Sheffield, the court was told.

Defending, Megan Tollitt said that Shaw initially asked her to turn down the music politely and the two began arguing. Shaw acted “out of provocation” but is now “ashamed” of his behaviour, according to the defence.

Ms Tollitt said: “There was a back and forth.

“Ms Webb said I’ve got sons, they’ll come and kick you out.”

Shaw was sentenced by Judge Timothy Stead for racially aggravated harassment, criminal damage, possession of a knife and the use of threatening and abusive behaviour.

Shaw has 62 offences on his record, this was his fourth racially aggravated offence and his seventh involving a weapon.

Shaw was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and was given a five-year restraining order preventing him from going to Moorfield Grove.